105 - Ryker


    How on earth did I miss this? There''s no way we overlooked something this big.


    "Actually, it could be possible if Kennedy''s right and Amy is alpha-born," Alpha said, trying to keep me grounded. "Someone must have shown her how to suppress her aura. But if she can do that, it doesn''t change much for me." I needed to stay calm, to keep my head clear despite the storm brewing inside me.


    "So, you''re saying I should kill them both on sight? No hesitation, no questions?" I pressed, wanting his honest take. I''ve never doubted a kill before, but this time it felt different-too personal because of Kennedy. I couldn''t just kill on a whim simply


    because I was angry.


    "If Amy is truly involved like it seems, she''s already tried to kill your mate multiple times and would keep trying if given the chance,” Alpha answered firmly. “So yes, I''d kill Amy immediately. Janelle, though? I don''t think she''s as deep into this—she''s just always been around Amy."


    "I need to check on Danny. Janelle is one of his favorites," I muttered, the thought gnawing at me.


    “RYKER, STOP!" Kennedy''s voice stopped me as I headed toward the truck.


    "Lamb, you can''te this time. I''m sorry. I don''t want you to see what''sing," I said, my voice low but resolute.


    "No way I''m staying behind! Ryker, we need answers. Amy might be involved in my parents'' death. She had me kidnapped. She wants to be Luna and has never hidden that ambition. But if ude is controlling her, what''s his endgame? There''s no way he''s helping her rise above him. I need this as much as you do," Kennedy insisted, her eyes fierce with determination.


    "Alright, everyone. Grab Finn. We need Amy. He has to force the mate bond to bring her to us. If that fails, I''llmand her. By now, she has to realize we hold her mate and the warriors she''s built," I ordered, urgency sharpening my tone.


    I pulled Kennedy close, feeling the exhaustion in her frame. We were all drained, but her human body wasn''t made for this kind of relentless stress.


    As if reading my thoughts, she clung tightly, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her ear against my chest. "I want to stay with you. Being near you is what keeps me steady. Please don''t leave me here to worry alone. Something bad always happens when you do."


    I leaned back, inhaling deeply. She wasn''t wrong—and she certainly knew how to get her way. "Fine. But you have to promise me you''ll listen."


    "I promise," she said instantly, too quickly.


    "No. If I tell you to go to the truck and lock the door, that''s exactly what you''ll do. If I say drive back to the packhouse and stay with Mom, you do it. We don''t know ude''s n. I think you''re right about him. But what I do know is this: you''re the real threat to him. I''ve epted you as my mate and Luna. He knows I won''t let Amy have you. If that''s part of his game, it''s failing. You''re in danger, but Alpha and I don''t want you anywhere we can''t see you either."


    I lifted her effortlessly. She wrapped her long, soft legs around my waist, and for a brief moment, I almost forgot the mission when she pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. It was fleeting but enough to make her smile and lighten the weight both Alpha and


    I carried. I set her carefully in the passenger seat, then jumped behind the wheel.


    "Why bring the truck if you weren''t nning to take me with you?" she asked as I started the engine.


    "If we end up killing any of them tonight, we''ll have to remove the bodies. No one peaceful deserves to spend the night with a corpse," I exined. She simply nodded, understanding.


    "How are you so calm about all this? Most people-even omegas-hate talking about war and death. Not to mention what we did earlier to Dirk," I said, curiositycing my tone.


    She shrugged but avoided my gaze, staring out the window instead. "Maybe because I''ve been around wolves my whole life."


    "But that "


    "Not just any wolves. Alpha wolves. Remember, Jeremiah and I were practically treated like twins back then. Uncle James never sugarcoated the darker side of being an alpha. He said so many crave power but don''t grasp the responsibility it carries. When you fight, it''s not just the fighters who suffer. He made sure we all understood that. Especially when ites to taking a life. He taught us to never take that decision lightly-but also not to hesitate when someone won''t show you the same respect."


    Her words hung in the air as the truck rolled forward, the night thick with tension and unspoken fears.